Equipment Review and Discussion :: Turtle Aquarium - what the best project

[Fernando77]

Hello everyone
I would like the review and consideration of you as to what the best project. A terrarium of an aquarium only differs from the area dry (basking area). Search found 2 projects that I liked. Since this aquarium will be definitive (aiming the turtle as adults) do not want to make mistakes. The aquarium will have total 380 liters (LxWxH 130x45x65-10mm glass with locks top and bottom) and effective will depend on the chosen design.

Project 1
That's what pleases me most, but not sure if it is safe. He is to use a second small aquarium without one side (with a ramp in place of that side).
would look like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10marauder10/6329774765/
... think of using glass 4mm for the sides. And 5mm glass to the bottom (perhaps for safety locks on the bottom and a glass strip on the side missing). He would have the following Dimensions 45x30x25 (LxWxH) and weigh about 6kg (I'm basing this site http://www.theaquatools.com/building-your-aquarium ). In this project I would have effective 350 liters of water.
My question is: Is it safe to put an aquarium "dry" with the dimensions mentioned above the main tank?
It would be something like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10marauder10/6329858551/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10marauder10/6329858583/

Project 2
In this case the dry part would be in the tank, on one side, the bottom of the aquarium to the front. Would look like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10marauder10/6330526702/
I do not like this project because I would lose a considerable litragem effective, something around 70L, leaving only 280 liter effective.
In the drawing is not to have much idea. But it would look something like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10marauder10/6304674920/

What do you think?

.. sorry for the links, is that I already had all these images on flickr.

[steve]

Project 1 is similar to most above tank basking areas (ATBA). I actually think these are better since it's more open and you can use acrylic or other materials.

Project 2 can also work well, please see this: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6372

[Fernando77]

Thanks Steve, I really enjoyed the link. It gave me some ideas.

On the first project, you suggest using acrylic. I thought so too, but because the acrylic is a type of plastic it does not heat up with the basking lights? Not that I think it will melt or something, but the basking area would not be too hot? ... I ask this because my basking area now is similar to the second project, and glass as well as platform stones that are there get a little warm after some time. The night after the lights off, they cool down in about 20 minutes (sometimes less, depends on the weather). I believe the glass dissipates heat better than the acrylic (correct me if I'm wrong). Building the basking area all in acrylic would not make it too hot?

[steve]

If it's acrylic, the sides are not supposed support lamps (lamps clipped onto them), and are hanged from a stand, or a hook mounted to the wall/ceiling. It's more of a protective barrier. Acrylic should not be used for the bottom area - eggcrate, tile and corkbark are optional materials.

[Fernando77]

I really enjoyed this eggcrate, I am considering using it as a structure, and set on top of the eggcrate a board slate for the basking area. For the ramp also use the eggcrate. But instead of a slate card I would use a piece of tile with grooves. what do you think?

[steve]

I haven't used egg crate, so I can't give you an idea of it's ability to support the weight. I'm not sure I understand what you want to do with the slate...

[Fernando77]

I am thinking of using slate for the turtle has a really firm basking area. The slate absorbs very little water, which greatly facilitates cleaning and maintenance. It also helps to create a more natural environment, leaving the aquarium much more beautiful. I intend to use a thin slab of slate, something close to a maximum of 3mm and 5mm (various shops sell slate tile format). How do I send my tank as I chose to use on horizontal and vertical locks, so I'll be able to support the eggcrate structure and board slate. What do you think?

[steve]

Slate or ceramic tile is fine to use. I'm not sure what you mean by horizontal and vertical locks. If the structure goes on the rim of the tank, then it just needs to sit in there if it has a bevel. Most aquariums to have it to hold lighting hoods in place. If it sits inside your tank you can use a PVC to support it.